M50 manifold conversion

[LPM320]

Hi Guys.

I have a m50 manifold that i have been contemplating to fit on for a while now. And i decided that if im ever gonna fit it, the time is this weekend. I have read all the diy's and most of the write ups on the net, and honestly, the reviews have been mixed.

So what i would like to know, from you the knowledgeabe fanatics, is this upgrade worth all the trouble or is it just a lot of work for a small gain. How are the fuel consumption and drivability affected in terms of real world driving?

Thanks gents.....

 

[Diablo Jnr]

If you are going to be using the car as your everyday car, then this is not a good mod for you as the torque band will move up the rev range and you will loose the low down pulling power of the 328i...
As mine is a friday car, I dont mind the delay low down as it more than makes up for it after 3500rpm which suits my driving style just perfect.

 

[LPM320]

Diablo: Do you have a software or remap on your car?

 

[328ii]

I have done this mod to my 1998 328i.

If you don't want to do it for the DIY sake &/or more mods then do
not bother as it is a lot of work for little top-end gains.

Cutting and remounting the fuel rails leaves a not-so-pro result.

Also rather pointless if the exhaust, throttle bodies & DME is stock.

Fuel consumption and drive-ability does not really change.

However, let nobody keep you from having fun...enjoy

8?>

 

[zabbo]

If you don't want to do it for the DIY sake &/or more mods then do
not bother as it is a lot of work for little top-end gains.

Cutting and remounting the fuel rails leaves a not-so-pro result.

Also rather pointless if the exhaust, throttle bodies & DME is stock.

Fuel consumption and drive-ability does not really change.

However, let nobody keep you from having fun...enjoy

8?>

+1 .. it does very well once you going though (above 3500rpm) :rollsmile:

 

[moranor@axis]

i still say an m50 should go with a diff swap...

 

[328ii]

i still say an m50 should go with a diff swap...

+100 - that would be a nice upgrade - in the pipeline next year (2012) for me

8?>

 

[LPM320]

@Moranor: Doing a diff swap makes perfect sense with this mod. Although i dont have the finances for this at the moment.

My biggest problem is the power drop off after 5000 rpm. The car pulls so hard and strong up until then, after that it hits a wall. I just wish i could maintain that shove all the way to the red line without having to change the intake manifold

 

[Diablo Jnr]

Diablo: Do you have a software or remap on your car?

Uni chip and AFE CAI...diff swop would be nice, but not too sure if I want to spend any more money on the car as I am thinking of selling
With the mods i've done, the car pulls strong all the way to redline.

 

[SlowMo]

Change your exhaust manifold to an e36 m3 and you will have exactly what you want, and still keeping the stock M52 intake manifold.

Also, M50 conversion, low end torque DEFINITELY suffers, and you feel it in a daily drive. But the smile after 5K rpm compensates.

Will work very well without a remap of the DME.

stock 328i throttle body is more than enough to feed the m50 manifold. hell, its even enough to feed S52 cams and complete zorst with the M50 manifold.

If u have an auto, don't bother with the swap. Otherwise its well worth the effort, just dont mess up the vac hoses.

As someone said, M50 manifold + diff swap is the best of both.

 

[LPM320]

@SlowMo: You say tha changing the exhaust manifold to one from a e36 M3 will give me the desired result. I read somewhere about TNT BB02 manifolds, will these give me the same result,or does it have to be M3 manifolds?

 

[Raybimmer]

I have a 3.46 diff in my 325i , I think the 3.46 in the 328i with its 2.93 will make it run quicker . However doing the M50 manifold swop , then losing torque , then doing the diff swop to regain torque will give you quick acceleration but cruising revs increase . My 325i does about 3400revs at 120 the 328i does about 3000 at 120 .
IMHO if you do the mods and use the power you will use more petrol and increased revs all the time will mean engine life is shortened .
Exhaust headers should all be close , I may be fitting Viper soon , but do not know if dual 50 or 57 mm is better .

 

[SlowMo]

Yes you will.

M3 manifolds are far superior to anything I've seen. Unless these BB02 manifolds have the same design as the M3, it won't be the same.

Where are you situated? I can show you what they feel like.

 

[LPM320]

@Raybimmer: Thats the problem. 70% of the time i change gears between 2500 - 3000 r/min, as the car is my daily. My car achieves, what i believe to be, exceptional fuel consumption for a 2.8 6. And i think its because of that torque at low revs that im able to achieve this, and i want to upset this as little as possible. Its just that when i decide to have some fun, the ''wall'' after 5k leaves me feeling short changed. I have a 57mm dual on my car, and i think it works out perfectly.

@slowmo: Im in durban bro, see you in JHB. Damn....

 

[kabal]

problem with M3 manifold is then you need a new exhaust, it will not bolt to the 328 system

TNT headers are probably way more cost effective and work just as well. just cause a header has bigger "tubes" doesnt mean it is better, infact you probably get some funky airflow from going from small exhaust ports into a larger chamber that has 90degree "corners" on each side of the port

 

[Sankekur]

From what I have read, the port mismatch is not really a problem, not on the exhaust side at least. If you want to go for a proper manifold I would also suggest going for an e36 M3 one, in terms of construction they are just so much better than most of the aftermarket stuff available.

Oh and it also look a hell of a lot better than most aftermarket ones :grin:

 

[hiltonfa]

I have done this mod on my car, including viper branch and dual 50mm exhaust with k&n filter in original box, then had a uni-Q chip done. The car runs strong. With the chip you regain the bottom end torque.

 

[SlowMo]

Sankekur thats exactly it.

There is a science behind manifold design, and most people don't understand it. That pic is exactly what I'm talking about. Compare the runner length to any aftermarket system and you will be quickly convinced there is nothing better, not even close, to these branches.

About the port mismatch, I agree, a whole lot of bull. People do stupid things then blame the hardware. If you want to do it properly, go and buy M3 exhaust gaskets, they are different to the 328. port problem solved.

LPM I'll be in dbn next week.

 

[moranor@axis]

sank when you going to fit these... im still thinking of changing over to those :rollsmile:

 

[LPM320]

Those headers do look like works of art. What can you expect to pay for a pair?

@slowmo: Where about in durban are you gonna be? Maybe we can meet up?